The UK opposition wants to use one of these options to block a no-deal Brexit

Brexit, flags of the United Kingdom and the European Union. Photo: Getty

Opposition parties — the Liberal Democrats, Labour, the Scottish National Party, and others — are in favour of using one of two legal methods to block a no-deal Brexit, sources who are involved in the discussion have told Yahoo Finance UK.

Following UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s proposals to suspend parliament between 11 September to 14 October and to return with a Queen’s Speech outlining the government’s plans, sources said there was an “escalation in the urgency of our actions.”

The Institute for Government outlined to Yahoo Finance UK one potential timetable for an SO24 motion being used to block no-deal.

It’s a tight squeeze. A debate would have to be requested by 3 September, a bill would need to be introduced and debated from 5 September — and would still be required to pass the Commons and Lords by 11 September.

A Cooper/Letwin Bill Mark 2?

A pro-EU protester demonstrates on a bus near the Houses of Parliament on January 29, 2019 in London, England. Photo:Getty Images

An attempt to replicate parts of the EU Withdrawal Bill — AKA the Cooper/Letwin Bill — would mean MPs going through the voting process again on what a deal would look like. It is understood that MPs are in talks to do this, but SO24 is the preferred path.

If the Queen’s Speech is defeated in the House of Commons on 14 October, a Downing Street source told Yahoo Finance UK that the government would likely force the opposition into a vote of no confidence and not concede to one.

In a statement responding to the government’s plans to suspend parliament, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “I am appalled at the recklessness of Johnson’s government, which talks about sovereignty and yet is seeking to suspend parliament to avoid scrutiny of its plans for a reckless no-deal Brexit.

“This is an outrage and a threat to our democracy.”

“That is why Labour has been working across Parliament to hold this reckless government to account, and prevent a disastrous no-deal which parliament has already ruled out.

“If Johnson has confidence in his plans he should put them to the people in a general election or public vote.”